Peacock sees new energy in the Gators program

The Florida Gators are doing an excellent job of getting underclassmen on campus and that continued last Saturday when the Gators hosted several members of the class of 2017 on campus.

Running back Jamari Peacock (6-0, 235, Yulee, FL High) was one those prospects who was on campus and received some exciting news while in town.

“I got the offer from Florida during my visit, coach [Jim] McElwain told me about it,” Peacock said. “He called me in his office and said that he could see me in 2017 coming out of the locker room in a Florida jersey smiling back at my grandparents. He asked me if I wanted to come play for him and I told him that I had to think about it and that I would let him know as soon as possible.”

McElwain and running backs coach Tim Skipper have both been in contact with Peacock before and on Saturday the three got a chance to sit down and talk.

“Coach McElwain had me and coach Skipper sit down in his office and they both told me how they liked my film a lot,” Peacock said. “They said that they were going to keep coming by my school and that they were going to keep in contact with my coaches so that they could recruit me.”

Peacock, who has been to Florida several times in the past, says that he felt a different vibe in the football offices on Saturday.

“Coach McElwain is really turning around the program at Florida,” Peacock said. “The energy in that building from last year to this year is just different and more energy in there. You could tell from the staff that they believe they are going to have a big year.”

That positive vibe is not only with McElwain but also with area recruiter Tim Skipper, as Peacock is building a relationship with the Gators running backs coach.

“Coach Skipper is a great running backs coach and a good guy,” Peacock said. “I’ve seen what he has done in the past with some of his former players. He was telling me that they are going back to the pro-style offense and that they could use a big strong guy like me.”

Despite the big offers from Florida and Florida State the 2017 prospect is no rush to make a quick decision.

“I haven’t decided on any leaders or any list yet,” Peacock said. “Probably during the summer is when I’ll decide on a top list and who all I will visit and stuff. I do know that I will be back up to Florida for a spring practice.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Peacock is someone Florida fans should keep an eye on over the next six months or so because the Gators are in great shape here.

About Andrew Spivey

Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.

The Florida Gators are doing an excellent job of getting underclassmen on campus and that continued last Saturday when the Gators hosted several members of the class of 2017 on campus.

Running back Jamari Peacock (6-0, 235, Yulee, FL High) was one those prospects who was on campus and received some exciting news while in town.

“I got the offer from Florida during my visit, coach [Jim] McElwain told me about it,” Peacock said. “He called me in his office and said that he could see me in 2017 coming out of the locker room in a Florida jersey smiling back at my grandparents. He asked me if I wanted to come play for him and I told him that I had to think about it and that I would let him know as soon as possible.”

McElwain and running backs coach Tim Skipper have both been in contact with Peacock before and on Saturday the three got a chance to sit down and talk.

“Coach McElwain had me and coach Skipper sit down in his office and they both told me how they liked my film a lot,” Peacock said. “They said that they were going to keep coming by my school and that they were going to keep in contact with my coaches so that they could recruit me.”

Peacock, who has been to Florida several times in the past, says that he felt a different vibe in the football offices on Saturday.

“Coach McElwain is really turning around the program at Florida,” Peacock said. “The energy in that building from last year to this year is just different and more energy in there. You could tell from the staff that they believe they are going to have a big year.”

That positive vibe is not only with McElwain but also with area recruiter Tim Skipper, as Peacock is building a relationship with the Gators running backs coach.

“Coach Skipper is a great running backs coach and a good guy,” Peacock said. “I’ve seen what he has done in the past with some of his former players. He was telling me that they are going back to the pro-style offense and that they could use a big strong guy like me.”

Despite the big offers from Florida and Florida State the 2017 prospect is no rush to make a quick decision.

“I haven’t decided on any leaders or any list yet,” Peacock said. “Probably during the summer is when I’ll decide on a top list and who all I will visit and stuff. I do know that I will be back up to Florida for a spring practice.”

INSIDERS TAKE: Peacock is someone Florida fans should keep an eye on over the next six months or so because the Gators are in great shape here.

Andrew Spiveyandrewspiveyandrew.spivey1987@yahoo.comAuthorAndrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.GatorCountry.com